The Farr Side: Summer should sizzle with new releases

David T. Farr

Thursday

May 27, 2010 at 12:01 AMMay 27, 2010 at 6:41 AM

Katy Perry is not an East Coast girl, but she knows how to be hip. She has a style all her own. Sometimes she talks funny, her music can make you feel good and, judging from her highly publicized relationship with Russell Brand, her kisses keep him warm at night.

Katy Perry is not an East Coast girl, but she knows how to be hip. She has a style all her own. Sometimes she talks funny, her music can make you feel good and, judging from her highly publicized relationship with Russell Brand, her kisses keep him warm at night.

Knowing all that, though, Perry truly is a California girl, or “gurl,” as she might put it. The Santa Barbara native’s latest single, “California Gurls,” is of the hottest songs for summer 2010.

“California Gurls,” from Perry’s forthcoming album release, “Teenage Dream,” continues her lucky streak of summer hits. Perry’s first outing, the tongue-in-cheek “I Kissed A Girl” surprisingly dominated the airwaves and the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks in 2008, while last summer it was the infectious and campy “Waking Up In Vegas” that made such a splash. Her new song is sure to follow suit.

Perry’s collaboration with Timbaland on the hit “If We Ever Meet Again” makes her one to watch this summer, but a few other girls hope to cash in on the summer scene.

Christina Aguilera is back after a four-year hiatus with the hot dance floor-thumping “Not Myself Tonight” from her new album “Bionic.”

I think Aguilera has one of the best voices in the business, so I’m not on the bandwagon to compare her new music to Lady Gaga. Aguilera was here first. Can’t we just all get along?

“Can’t Be Tamed” is the newest offering from Miley Cyrus. I’ll admit Cyrus is growing on me, but I’d prefer to see her maintain a grasp on her age. You’re only 17, Montana!

Other new music from M.I.A., Kelis, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Kylie Minogue, Keri Hilson and Sarah McLachlan is also planned for release shortly.

The guys are ready to play, too. Justin Bieber continues his chart domination with more singles from “My World 2.0” like his duet of “Eenie Meenie” with Sean Kingston. Usher, Jason Derulo, Eminem, Drake, Diddy and Taio Cruz have tunes ready to jam.

Usher’s “OMG” is definitely one to crank up. I’m also diggin’ Cruz’s “Break Your Heart,” which is apart of a huge U.K. invasion of the R&B vibe spearheaded by Derulo and Iyaz.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dierks Bentley, Jack Johnson, Enrique Iglesias, Scissor Sisters and Kevin Rudolf are also readying new tunes in time to make your backyard barbecue a little hotter.

The summer of 2010 is shaping up to be a hot one, at least on the charts. So get out there and enjoy it. Crank some tuneage and have a jammin’ good time.

David T. Farr is a Sturgis (Mich.) Journal correspondent. E-mail him at farrboy@hotmail.com.

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